Pierre, Marlins reflect on franchise's history

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

MIAMI -- The cover of the Marlins' media guide has images of the team's past and present. There is a photo of plush Marlins Park, along with a picture of Charlie Hough tossing out the first pitch in club history, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez tagging out J.T. Snow in the 2003 playoffs.

This year the organization is recognizing the 20th anniversary of the franchise, as well as 10 years since winning the World Series.

Past players were at Marlins Park on Sunday to commemorate the anniversary. The giveaway before Miami faced the Padres in Game 3 of a four-game set was a Juan Pierre bobblehead.

Pierre was a key part of the '03 World Series title team. He is now a veteran presence on this year's youthful club.

"It's been great," Pierre said of the history of the franchise. "They have two World Series in 20 years. Stuff happened quickly. They did it two ways. They had a lot of high-priced guys the first time. The second one, a bunch of misfits won it. I think it's a good organization."

Pierre experienced being with the club at its old park, Sun Life Stadium, which the club shared with the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes. And he now sees the benefits of playing in flashy Marlins Park.

"It's well needed," Pierre said. "I think now, with the young guys they have in place, there is definitely an upside, and they can build around the stadium. The stadium, it's the Marlins. There is no Dolphins, no Hurricanes. It's the Marlins' stadium."

Marlins great sees bright future for Redmond

Charles Johnson, a former All-Star and Gold Glove-winning catcher with the Marlins, was once a teammate of Redmond's.

Johnson, a member of the Marlins' 1997 World Series title team, was at Marlins Park on Sunday to take part in honoring the 20th anniversary of the organization.

With a young roster this year, the Marlins got off to a rough first two months, and they still have the worst record in the Majors. However, the team enjoyed a winning month of June while showing signs of improvement.

"It was a rough start definitely to the season," said Johnson, who makes his home in Plantation, Fla. "But I've got a lot of confidence in Redmond. Playing with Redmond for a lot of years, and knowing the kind of character that this guy has. I'm sure he is hanging tough with them. I'm pretty sure that Redmond is going to do very well."

Johnson and Redmond were both catchers, meaning they worked closely together.

"Red has always been a good leader," Johnson said. "He displayed that a lot, especially in his catching. He does a good job on the field. He is a good field general. I knew right away he was going to be a good manager. In due time, I think that is going to show, when the wins come."

Rare feat helps Turner put spring behind him

MIAMI -- Completing what you started has become a rarity in the big leagues.

On Saturday night, Jacob Turner experienced a first. The 22-year-old tossed his first big league complete game, and it also was the first time all season a Miami starter went the distance.

"I think so many young pitchers, those guys just get conditioned for six, seven innings, and they're gone," manager Mike Redmond said. "It just doesn't happen too many times nowadays where a guy has enough pitches to finish a game."

Indeed, complete games are not common, as nine teams in the Majors have not recorded one this year. The list includes the team with the best record, the Pirates, and the defending World Series champion Giants.

Atlanta, Baltimore, Colorado, Houston, Milwaukee, Minnesota and Tampa Bay were the remaining teams without a complete game through Saturday.

The Cardinals pace the big leagues with six, while the Dodgers, Phillies and Mariners follow with four.

Turner became an unlikely candidate to collect the Marlins' first of the season largely because he opened the year at Triple-A New Orleans. The right-hander was expected to be part of the rotation entering Spring Training. But he struggled in Grapefruit League games and with his mechanics, so he was sent down.

"I never pitched, but it's got to feel good, coming from where he did in Spring Training, and going out and finishing a Major League game with a big win," Redmond said.

One obvious benefit of a complete game is that it gives the bullpen a night off. It also boosts a pitcher's confidence, knowing he can record the final outs.

Through six starts, Turner's ERA lowered to 1.76. The last pitcher 22 or younger to toss 40 or more innings and have an ERA as low as Turner's over his first six starts of a season was Mark Prior, who posted a 1.67 ERA for the Cubs in 2003.

Turner had never gone past 7 2/3 innings before beating the Padres, 7-1, on Saturday. His 111 pitches are a season high and four behind his career most of 115 in five innings at the Mets on Sept. 21.

Turner had one walk and seven strikeouts in beating the Padres.

"I've always been able to pound the strike zone; that was always my biggest strength," Turner said. "It was unfortunate I wasn't able to do it in Spring Training. I think it made me a better pitcher to go down to Triple-A, and get all those things worked out and come back up here."

Worth noting

• Henderson Alvarez, winding down his rehab assignment, threw a between-starts bullpen session at Marlins Park on Sunday morning. Alvarez is expected to be reinstated from the 60-day disabled list in the next couple of days. He has been out with right shoulder inflammation.

• Giancarlo Stanton entered Sunday having recorded a hit and at least one RBI in six consecutive games against the Padres dating back to 2011.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.